Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 13th
UPDATE: The woman killed has been identified as 22-year-old Rebecca A. Birdsong of Rathdrum, ID area. Her next of kin have been notified. The Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation of the collision.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE KOOTENAI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE:
On September 13, 2012 at about 7:40 AM, deputies from the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and Fire/EMS personnel from Northern Lakes Fire responded to a vehicle vs. train collision on Ramsey Rd, just north of Boekel Rd near Rathdrum, ID.
Once on scene, they found that a southbound car had been struck by a westbound train. The car's driver, a female in her early twenties, was found deceased at the scene.
According to the train personnel, the car had stopped for the posted stop sign at the train tracks, but the driver never looked either way prior to driving into the path of the train.
The identity of the driver is being withheld pending positive identification and family notification.
There is no indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Traffic Team is still processing the scene.
UPDATE: Authorities tell us that it was a woman driver in her early 20's. She was heading southbound on Ramsey when the train crashed into the driver's side. At this hour it appears to be an accident. The train conductor tells authorities that the vehicle stopped at the stop sign, but then continued driving right as the train was crossing the intersection.
It's unknown if she was wearing her seatbelt, but she was still inside the car when fire fighters arrived on scene. She was extracted from the car and pronounced dead.
It's also unclear if drugs or alcohol played a factor. The intersection does not have stop arms, just a stop sign. The rail company is Union Pacific.
UPDATE: We're getting word that a person has died. At this hour the identity of the victim has not been released. Check back for updates throughout the day.
PREVIOUS STORY:
RATHDRUM, Idaho - A train hit a car at Ramsey and Boekel, near Rathdrum. The wreck happened Thursday morning. Kootenai County Sheriff's deputies are responding. There is no word on injuries or what caused the crash at this point. KHQ has a crew on the way to the scene.
